sustenance Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun a source of materials to nourish the body
nutrition; alimentation; aliment; nutriment; nourishment; victuals.
noun the financial means whereby one lives
living; support; livelihood; bread and butter; keep.
- each child was expected to pay for their keep
- he applied to the state for support
- he could no longer earn his own livelihood
noun the act of sustaining life by food or providing a means of subsistence
sustainment; sustentation; upkeep; maintenance.
- they were in want of sustenance
- fishing was their main sustainment

OF. sustenance, sostenance, soustenance: cf. L. sustenentia endurance. See Sustain.

The act of sustaining; support; maintenance; subsistence; as, the sustenance of the body; the sustenance of life.
That which supports life; food; victuals; provisions; means of living; as, the city has ample sustenance. "A man of little sustenance." Chaucer.
For lying is thy sustenance, thy food. Milton.